Introduction

The cursed creation?

Almost universal among young earth
creationists is the idea that the original creation was cursed by God, who changed
it as a result of the fall of man. Romans 8 is cited as New Testament
evidence in favor of this interpretation. However, an examination of
Romans 8 reveals that this figurative interpretation neither fits the
overall context of the chapter, nor the specific attributes said to refer
to the creation. In addition, this interpretation requires that it
contradicts other biblical passages about the creation.

Rich Deem

The claim has been made that the Romans 8:19-23 passage refers to the
"cursed creation" mentioned in Genesis
3:17. However, if one
looks into the passages more deeply, there is another interpretation, which
makes more sense in terms of the context of the chapter. Is the context of Romans 8
consistent with a figurative passage about the non-rational creation?

Romans 8: the cursed creation?

Here are the verses from Romans 8 (NIV and NAS translations) that we are examining:

NIV

NAS

The creation waits in eager expectation
for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected
to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one
who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be
liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious
freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation
has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the
present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits
of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for
our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this
hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who
hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not
yet have, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:19-25)

For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the
revealing of the sons of God.
For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but
because of Him who subjected it, in hope
that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to
corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of
childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves,
having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan
within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the
redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope
that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he
sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we
wait eagerly for it. (Romans 8:19-25)

"Creation" or "creature"?

The question we are examining is the proper translation of the Greek word ktisis,1
which occurs 20 times in the New
Testament and can be translated as either "creation" or
"creature," depending upon the context. In Romans 1:20,2ktisis
obviously refers to the creation, since the verse describes the
"world" (kosmos). In other verses, such as Mark 16:15,3ktisis
obviously refers to unredeemed creatures (humans), since Jesus would not
have commanded us to proclaim the gospel to the rocks and trees. Ktisis,
in other verses often refers to the Gentile or non-believing
world:

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the
gospel to all creation [ktisis]." (Mark 16:15)

if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the
hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that
has been proclaimed to every creature [ktisis] under heaven, and of
which I, Paul, have become a servant. (Colossians 1:23)

And there is no creature [ktisis] hidden from His sight, but all things
are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews
4:13)

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution [ktisis],
whether to a king as the one in authority, (1 Peter 2:13)

Context of Romans 8

The book of Romans is the great book of Christian theology written to
the Roman believers by Paul, the apostle. The eighth chapter discusses the
role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. This chapter
discusses the role of the Spirit in setting believers free from the law to
serve God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It compares the
actions of the one indwelt with the Spirit to one in whom the Spirit does
not live. In looking at the overall context, one would have to ask why
Paul would interject an allegorical passage about the creation in a
chapter that is otherwise devoted solely to a discussion of the role of
the Spirit in the life of believers versus unbelievers. Therefore, the
overall context of the chapter suggests that Paul was not talking about
the non-rational creation.

Specific examination of the passage

Verse 19:

For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the
revealing of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19)

Is the non-rational creation really waiting for the revelation of God's
children? Obviously, if this passage is really referring to the creation,
this verse would have to be anthropomorphic rather than literal. If the
passage really refers to creatures, it would be taken literally, since
creatures can wait eagerly for God's revelation.

John Gill notes that the Syriac version indicates in its notes that the
word ktisis refers to the Gentiles.4

The King James version is
translated:

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the
manifestation of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19)

Verse 20:

For the creation was subjected
to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one
who subjected it (Romans 8:20)

So let us examine the verses to see if the context is referring to
"creatures" or "creation." The verse uses the Greek word is mataiotays
(Strong's G3153),5 which is translated
"frustration" or "futility".
How is this word used in the rest of scripture?

This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you
walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility
of their mind, (Ephesians 4:17)

For speaking out arrogant words of vanity
they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape
from the ones who live in error, (2 Peter 2:18)

Mataiotays is used only two other times in scripture, but in
each instance it refers to unredeemed Gentiles or unbelievers. Adam Clarke's commentary
explains that this term applies to the "inward vanity or emptiness of the
mind" and, therefore, must refer to Gentile creatures and not to the
creation.6It is nowhere
else used in
scripture to refer to the non-rational creation.

The verse also indicates that the creation/creature was subjected to
this futility not by choice, but by the the will of the one who subjected
it. The context could apply to either creatures or the creation. The King
James version indicates:

or the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by
reason of him who hath subjected (Romans 8:20)

Verse 21:

in hope
that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to
corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Romans
8:21)

One needs to ask if the non-rational creation or creatures will be set
free from slavery to corruption. The Greek word phthora (Strong's G5356),7 is
translated "corruption" in this verse. How is this word used
in the rest of scripture?

So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable
body, it is raised an imperishable body; (1 Corinthians 15:42)

Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of God; nor does the perishable
inherit the imperishable. (1 Corinthians 15:50)

For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption,
but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal
life. (Galatians 6:8)

(which all refer to things destined to perish
with the using)-- in accordance with the commandments and teachings of
men? (Colossians 2:22)

For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent
promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the
divine nature, having escaped the corruption
that is in the world by lust. (2 Peter 1:4)

But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct
to be captured and killed,
reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction
of those creatures also be destroyed, (2 Peter 2:12)

promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption;
for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. (2 Peter
2:19)

Phthora appears 9 times in 8 verses. Likewise, in every
instance, this word refers to human beings - mostly of the unredeemed
variety. Peter uses the phrase "slaves of corruption" [doulos
phthora], which is very similar to Paul's "slavery to
corruption" [douleia phthora], in a context that obviously
refers to unredeemed humans (2 Peter 2:19). The phrase "slavery to
corruption" is significant, since the idea of being enslaved to sin or corruption is commonly used
(at least 16 times in the New Testament) in reference to unredeemed humanity.8 Most
notably, the idea is expressed in the eighth chapter of Romans - only four
verses before the passage we are examining. The Bible never indicates that
the creation is a slave to sin or corruption - only unredeemed humanity.
In fact, non-spiritual creatures are incapable of sinning.

Will the creation be "set free" or destroyed?

In addition, the creation will not be
delivered "into the freedom of the glory of the
children of God?" The Bible says that the creation will be burned up
and destroyed9 and that Jesus has gone to
create an entirely new
creation that will replace it.10 Scripture makes it clear that
the creation will not be "set free" and, therefore, the word ktisis
must refer to the "creature."

Verse 22:

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of
childbirth together until now. (Romans 8:22)

Does verse 22 refer to the "whole creation" or "all the
creatures"? Paul paints a picture of the suffering of the
creation/creature compared to a woman giving birth. The problem with the
analogy, if it is said to refer to the "creation", is that the
creation is not going to give birth to anything. After the creation
suffers and travails, it is going to be stillborn and destroyed. However,
if the verse is referring to the "creatures", it would be
referring to the suffering that results from the gospel being preached to
the Gentiles. The Gentiles suffer as they struggle whether or not to
accept the gospel and give up their old life. The analogy is completed
when the Gentiles accept the gospel and are born into the new life. This
concept is expressed by Paul elsewhere:

Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature [ktisis];
the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2
Corinthians 5:17)

John Gill (who was a young earth creationist) wrote an extensive
commentary of the entire Bible. Regarding verse 22, John Gill's Commentary says:

It is best of all by "the creature" to understand the
Gentile world. "The creature" here, and "the whole
creation", Rom. 8:22, must be
the same; now the phrase pasa ktisiz, "the whole creation", or "every
creature", as it may be rendered, signifies the nations of the
world, in distinction to the Jews; see Mar. 16:15;
compared with Mat. 28:19 and answers
to ,
"the creatures"; by which name the Jews often in their
writings call the Gentiles, to distinguish them from the Israelites.

Adam Clarke's commentary points out that the phrase
"whole creation" in Romans 8:22 is often used elsewhere is
scripture to represent the Gentile nations.12

Verse 23

Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for
our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans
8:23)

Verse 23 represents the strongest argument that the passage
is referring to the Gentiles and not the non-rational creation. The first
part "Not only so" is a reference to the suffering of those
mentioned in verse 22. The verse contrasts those mentioned in verse 22 to "we ourselves,
who have the first fruits of the Spirit." This might seem to be some
obscure, unknown reference, but its meaning is quite clear from the rest
of scripture.

In Israel, the first fruits were to be the first and best of
a crop given as a sacrifice to God. In reference to the New Testament, the
first fruits of Christ were the Jews who first believed and followed
Jesus. Jesus made it clear that He was sent only to witness to the Jews:

But He [Jesus] answered and said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of
the house of Israel." (Matthew 15:24)

Paul, in the book of Romans indicated likewise, that the
gospel was preached first to the Jews, and later to the Gentiles:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for
salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the
Greek. (Romans 1:16)

James, a Jew, indicated that "we" (i.e., the Jews) were a
kind of first fruits:

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we
might be a kind of first fruits of all he created. (James 1:18)

John, in his Revelation of Jesus Christ, stated that the
144,000 Jewish male witnesses13 were the first fruits to God:

These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have
kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He
goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and
to the Lamb. (Revelation 14:4)

All of these verses indicate that the first fruits of the Spirit in
verse 23 are the Jewish believers who follow Jesus Christ. Paul, a Jewish
Pharisee, included himself as the first fruits, as indicated by the phrase
"we ourselves." It would make sense that Paul would use the
phrase "first fruits" if he were comparing Jewish believers with
those who were Gentiles (second fruits), said to be those suffering in verse 22.
Since both verses are connected (by the phrase "not only so), it
makes sense that they are both referring to suffering by spiritual beings.
John Gill says:

"Rom 8:23 - And not only they, but ourselves also,.... Not only
they Gentiles, but we Jews likewise:
which have the first fruits of the Spirit: meaning either the apostles,
who were all Jews, and who most of them received the extraordinary gifts
of the Spirit on the day of "Pentecost", which was the day of
the first fruits, Num. 28:26; and to which there seems to be an allusion
here; or else the Jewish converts in general: to the Jews the promises
of the Messiah were made; to them he first came; the Gospel was first
preached unto them, and some of them first believed in Christ;"

Therefore, it seems likely that Romans 8:22-23 are continuing the
original discussion of the role of the spirit in the life of believers.
The contrasts between the Jews and Gentiles is continued in these verses.

Bibles that translate ktisis as "creature"
instead of "creation"

The following English translations translate Romans 8:19-23 as
referring to the "creature" instead of the "creation":

1965 Bible in Basic English - living creature

1889 Darby Bible - creature

1899 Douay-Rheims Bible - creature

King James Version - creature

1833 Webster Bible - creature

Literal or figurative?

Ultimately, one must decide if Paul is anthropomorphizing the
creation (i.e., the passage is figurative) or if he is really referring to creatures - the unredeemed
Gentiles. The literal translation would be rendered "creature,"
since it fits the entire context of the words used to describe it. In
order to claim that the passage refers to the creation, one must assume a
figurative interpretation. It is ironic that young earth proponents opt
for a figurative interpretation, whereas day-age proponents follow the
literal interpretation.

Conclusion

The interpretation that Romans 8:19-23 is referring to Gentiles or
unredeemed creatures as opposed to the non-rational creation is supported
by the following facts:

Parameter

Creature

Non-rational Creation

overall context

redeemed vs. unredeemed humans

Does not apply (non-spiritual)

longing for revelation

yes

no (non-emotional)

waiting for sons of God

yes

no (does not wait)

subject to vanity

yes

no (not capable of vanity)

hopes

yes

no (no mind or emotions)

to be set free

yes

no (destroyed)

slavery to corruption

yes

no (incapable of sin)

groans

yes

no (non-emotional)

suffers the pains of
childbirth

gives birth to new life

to be destroyed

first or second fruits of the Spirit

yes

no (non-spiritual)

interpretation

literal

figurative

Even if one were to assume the figurative interpretation of this
passage, it would be very difficult to figure out what Paul was trying to
say, unless one were to accept that the passage contradicts other passages
of scripture (since the creation will not be set free, but destroyed).
Therefore, on the basis of context, and in light of other teachings of
scripture, it makes more sense that Romans 8 refers to unredeemed
creatures instead of the non-rational creation.

Other Resources

Dr. Ross looks the creation date controversy from a biblical,
historical, and scientific perspective. Most of the book deals with what
the Bible has to say about the days of creation. Ross concludes that
biblical models of creation should be tested through the whole of
scripture and the revelations of nature.

This book, written for Christians, examines creation paradigms
on the basis of what scripture says. Many Christians assume that the young earth
"perfect paradise" paradigm is based upon what the Bible says. In reality, the
"perfect paradise" paradigm fails in its lack of biblical support and also in
its underlying assumptions that it forces upon a "Christian" worldview. Under
the "perfect paradise" paradigm, God is relegated to the position of a poor
designer, whose plans for the perfect creation are ruined by the disobedience of
Adam and Eve. God is forced to come up with "plan B," in which He vindictively
creates weeds, disease, carnivorous animals, and death to get back at humanity
for their sin. Young earth creationists inadvertently buy into the atheistic
worldview that suffering could not have been the original intent of God, stating
that the earth was created "for our pleasure." However, the Bible says
that God created carnivores, and that the death of animals and plants was part
of God's original design for the earth.

References

Thayer's Greek Definitions:ktisis

the act of founding, establishing, building etc.

the act of creating, creation

creation, i.e. thing created

of individual things, beings, a creature, a creation

anything created

after a rabbinical usage (by which a man converted from
idolatry to Judaism was called)

the sum or aggregate of things created

institution, ordinance

For since the creation of the world His invisible
attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen,
being understood through what has been made, so that they are without
excuse. (Romans 1:20)

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and
preach the gospel to all creation. (Mark 16:15)

"God, in hope that the creature itself also shall be
delivered from
the bondage of corruption"; and so it is placed in some copies, and
in the Syriac version: that is, "the Gentiles" earnestly wait
and expect a larger number of converts among them, in hopes that ere
long the whole Gentile world will be freed from the bondage of
corruption, under which it at present groaned; by which is meant,
the bondage they were in, not only to their sinful lusts, but to Satan
the god of this world; and particularly to their idols, by which they
corrupted themselves, and to which they were enslaved: they hope for a
deliverance from hence, into the glorious liberty of the children of
God; which designs either the liberty of grace the children of God
have here; and which consists in a freedom from the dominion of sin and
Satan, from the law and bondage of it, in the free use of Gospel
ordinances, in liberty of access to God, and a freedom from the fear of
death, and a glorious liberty it is; or the liberty of glory the saints
shall enjoy in the other world, which will lies in a freedom from the
prison of the flesh, from the body of sin and death, from all sorrows
and afflictions, from all reproaches and persecutions, from the
temptations of Satan, from doubts, fears, and unbelief, and in the full
vision of God through Christ, and in a free conversation with angels and
saints." John Gill's Commentary on the Bible

Thayer's Greek Definitions:Mataiotays

what is devoid of truth and appropriateness

perverseness, depravity

frailty, want of vigour

"The second key is the word mataisthti,
Rom. 8:20,
which is not unfitly rendered vanity; but then this vanity is
improperly applied to the vanishing, dying, changing state of the
creation. For mataisthx,
vanity, does not so much denote the vanishing condition of the outward
state, as it does the inward vanity or emptiness of the mind. So the
apostle, speaking of the Gentiles concerning whom he speaks here,
tells us emataiwqhan,
They became vain in their imaginations, Rom. 1:21;
and again, The Gentiles walk en mataisthti,
in the vanity of their mind, Eph. 4:17;
so also, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, oti
eisi mataioi,
that they are vain, 1Cor. 3:20.
To all which let me add this farther observation, that throughout this
whole place the apostle seems to allude to the bondage of the
Israelites in Egypt, and their deliverance from it; with a comparison
made betwixt the Jewish and the Gentile Church. When God would deliver
Israel from his bondage, he challenges him for his Son, and his
first-born, Exo. 4:22.
And in like manner the Gentiles earnestly expect and wait for such a
kind of manifestation of the sons of God, within and among themselves.
The Romans, to whom the apostle writes, knew well how many predictions
and promises it had pleased God to publish by his prophets, concerning
gathering together and adopting sons to himself among the Gentiles;
the manifestation of which sons the whole Gentile world with a neck as
it were stretched out, as the word apokaradokia
implies, (apo,
from, and kara,
the head, and dokaw,
to expect), doth now wait for." Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible.

Thayer's Greek Definitions:Phthora

corruption, destruction, perishing

that which is subject to corruption, what is perishable

in the Christian sense, eternal misery in hell

in the NT, in an ethical sense, corruption, i.e. moral decay

Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you,
everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. (John 8:34)
knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin
might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; (Romans
6:6)
Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for
obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting
in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? (Romans 6:16)
But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient
from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, (Romans
6:17)
I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just
as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness,
resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to
righteousness, resulting in sanctification. (Romans 6:19)
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.
(Romans 6:20)
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you
have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba!
Father!" (Romans 8:15)
For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites;
and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the
unsuspecting. (Romans 16:18)
You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. (1 Corinthians
7:23)
Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir
through God. (Galatians 4:7)
However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those
which by nature are no gods. (Galatians 4:8)
This is allegorically speaking: for these women are two covenants, one
proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is
Hagar. (Galatians 4:24)
Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present
Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. (Galatians 4:25)
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and
do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)
and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery
all their lives. (Hebrews 2:15)
promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for
by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. (2 Peter 2:19)

But the present heavens and earth by His word are being
reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly
men. (2 Peter 3:7)
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will
pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat,
and the earth and its works will be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10)
"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former
things shall not be remembered or come to mind. (Isaiah 65:17)
But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth,
in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13)
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first
earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. (Revelation 21:1)

"In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I
would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. "And if I go
and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself;
that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:2-3)

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28:19)

"The first is the phrase, pasa h
ctisix,
which we render the whole creation, Rom. 8:22,
and with which we meet twice elsewhere in the New Testament. Mar.
16:15
: Preach the Gospel, pash th ctisei,
to every creature; and Col. 1:23
: The Gospel was preached, en pash th ctisei, to every
creature. Now it is sufficiently apparent what is meant by pasa
ctisix in both
these places, viz. all nations, or the heathen world. For that which
in St. Mark is, preach the Gospel to every creature, is, in St.
Matthew, go and teach, pania ta eqnh, all
nations. And this very phrase in this place lays claim to that very
interpretation. And the Hebrew
col
habberioth, which answers to the Greek pasa h
ctisix,
every creature, is applied by the Jews to the Gentiles, and that by
way of opposition to Israel." Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible.

And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one
hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of
Israel: (Revelation 7:4)

'Also on the day of the first fruits, when you present a new grain
offering to the LORD in your Feast of Weeks, you shall have a holy
convocation; you shall do no laborious work. (Numbers 28:26)